Questions Answered About White Painted Brick
By: Cassie McDowell
Questions answered about white painted brick…White painted brick is a brick&batten favorite. Why? Because the look transforms any home in a huge way, without tearing into walls and putting a dumpster in the driveway! White painted brick looks fresh and bright. It’s a great backdrop for natural wood accents, clay pottery, and essentially goes with anything. Creating a classic and timeless look, it’s one of the only colors that also gives a modern or farmhouse feel. So versatile, so beautiful, and so in demand!
I receive questions everyday asking, “What shade of white is that? My house faces east or west. What color white should I use so it doesn’t look too bright? Why does my white look different on the paint chip? Does painting brick require endless maintenance?” I get it! Painting is a big undertaking and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It requires a little research and thought before just grabbing a paint brush! After all, it costs the same to paint your house the wrong color as it does the right color. That said, let’s get these questions answered to put you on track for painting your home white.
Before we get into it… there’s nothing simple about whites. Some designers call them wicked whites. I completely agree. They appear simple; however, whites are highly reflective and have tricky undertones. Finding the perfect white is a game changer!
Your Questions Answered About White Painted Brick
Is white painted brick too much maintenance?
Truth, painted brick is a tad more maintenance than naked brick. But, if it’s done correctly, with the correct paint and pro, the maintenance is minimal. And the bottom line, if you don’t like your brick the way it is then why are you living with it that way? It’s time to make a change! Bright whites will show dirt and may not be the best choice if you’re living on a busy street corner. Just like any home, a bright white will need pressure washed on a low setting to maintain the freshly painted look.
Is it bad for your brick to paint it?
No. Paints have come such a long way, especially masonry paint. Using a mineral based paint allows the brick to breath; therefore, the idea that brick will crack or mold will form is just untrue. If the brick is painted correctly, a mineral based paint can last 20 years on a brick surface. I have done a ton of research on the best paint for brick, and I have come up with a firm favorite- Romabio. Romabio paint has proven to be healthy for your home’s exterior. To read more about my findings, click here.
Can I just buy white bricks as I’m building a new house?
Sure! If you’re building, check your brick supplier for the white brick options. They may be beautiful; however, the pictures I’m being sent and you’re pinning, are painting brick. White bricks do not give the same look. The white brick tends to be too gray, or orange, or pink, with a different contrast in the grout lines. So, it’s doable, but just not the same as the white painted brick we are loving.
What do you think about limewash?
Limewash is a wonderful way to lighten up the look of your home without fully committing to white paint. Basically, to achieve the limewash look, your painter waters down the paint. The best part is within the first few days the paint can easily be washed away. This allows for easy testing. The limewash technique also doesn’t harm the brick. Romabio claims, “Classico Limewash calcifies to the brick or stone and becomes like the rock, just as hard, allowing moisture to evaporate and working naturally with the surface. It doesn’t peel, chip, or flake off or lose its color depth and essence.” It’s truly a natural extension of the brick.
What color white is best to use for an east facing home?
Phew! There is so much information about north and south facing homes but not as much about east… why? Because they are a pain in the neck and all of a sudden everything you know about color goes out the window. Honestly, it has been physically painting different paint samples, on different surfaces, facing different directions, at different times of day that has given me insight to whites on an east or west facing home. To make a long explanation short, go for a more warm white with fewer gray undertones. That will keep the white looking white, even as late afternoon hits. Also, exterior lighting can be your friend. Add landscape lighting, beautiful sconces near your doorway, and/ or a hanging pendant to illuminate a white paint in the evening. To read more about painting colors we are loving, click here.
Why does my white look different on the paint chip?
The paint chip is an indication of the color, in that particular environment, under that lighting, and that sheen. Usually, the paint chip appears darker than the color when outside in natural sunlight. Recently, we had a client who painted his house a beautiful dark shade. He was surprised it didn’t look like the paint chip and sent me pictures asking why. Our client took the photo early evening on a rainy cloudy day. In this instance, the paint did look darker… of course. Natural light changes everything about white and dark paints as well.
We always recommend sampling and testing paint colors before committing. Factors such as natural lighting, undertones, and your property’s fixed elements will have a significant impact on how a color will appear on your exterior. Our friends at Samplize offer extra-large 9 x 14.75 inch peel-and-stick paint samples of the colors we love for exteriors. Order your ‘Real Paint, No Mess’ samples from Samplize here.
Your questions answered about white painted brick! Overall, white painted brick transforms the look of any home! It looks fresh, bright, and is a beautiful backdrop for other colors. That said, whites are tricky and need to be carefully selected and highly tested. After much research, I decided to paint my brick. Read more, here.
At brick&batten we know exterior paint colors! We would love to partner with you on a home exterior design to ensure you’ve made the best selections, or to make these selections for you. Remember, it’s just as easy to paint the wrong color as the right color. Let’s take the worry out of your choices and get it right. Get started today.
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